Benefits of Flexibility and Balance

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Benefits of Flexibility and Balance
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Stretching and flexibility improve your range of
motion
This means that your joints can move the way they
are supposed to.  Like a well oiled car! You want
good motion so you can get the most use of your
muscles.  For example If you were to trip over
something and youre pretty flexible, then your
hip muscles have room to move to its extreme
position and prevent a fall.. hopefully.  Now if
you are less flexible, think about trying to
break your fall while your shoes are tied
together.  You wont be able to the wide open
step to prevent your fall because your range of
motion is restricted.  Same is true of your arms
and other body parts.
It also improves your athletic performance!
Lets put it this way, your muscles need to
stretch a little so it can use its full potential
to move.  If youre flexible then you can use
your full range of motion, and your muscles can
use their full potential too! This is great not
only in sports but also in daily activities. 
What exactly happens when you need to carry
groceries to the car? Or move a few things around
the house? Or carry your books from class to
class. MUSCLE USE! Sports or not its good for
your strength and power.
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Decrease risk of injury!
This is both in sports injuries and injuries in
daily activities.  For example If youre playing
a sport and your fall on one of your joints in a
weird way.. if your joints are okay with that
kind of stretch no injury. On the other hand,
if youre doing daily activities like going up
and down stairs or moving boxes, or putting
dishes away or doing the bed.  Then being
flexible is a great way to these activities
without pain, without strain and without injury.
Why? Well because you can bend that way! So its
no biggie! But what if youre trying to lift a
heavy box? And your hips arent flexible enough
to bend wide? Chances are you will lift the box
with your back rather than your buttocks and you
guessed it you pulled your back.  Now youre
laying there in pain, hoping someone will come
and help.  How do I know this? Well from
experience obviously!?
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TIPS

• Make sure to stretch both sides equally! Having
  equal flexibility prevents injury.. asymmetric
  flexibility may put you at risk of injury, and
  thats exactly what were trying to prevent
  hello!!!!
• Stretch the muscles and joints you use most for
  example If you run a lot or play football..
  stretch your calves, your hamstrings, your ankle
  joints, knees, and hips. If you play basketball
  do the same and also get those shoulders. If you
  play soccer.. stretch those legs baby! Hamstrings
  are prone to injury, so give them some love. If
  youre a yogi (meaning you do lots of yoga) get
  those wrists too! You get the idea!
• Dont BOUNCE on the stretch. Why? Like Ive said
  before if not controlled you can get hurt.
  Slow, steady stretches are the safest.

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Last thing to mention 
Evidence on the overall benefits of stretching
are all over the place. ? Stretching before a
race, or big sports event can lower your strength
and power. So it may be best not to stretch
before these events, but rather
afterward.? Phew! Did it! A whole 8 weeks of
awesome info! But wait!! Were not all the way
done yet.. you didnt think Id forget about the
last challenge yourself game did you? Heres
your challenge Now, Have any of you heard of the
game TWISTER?  Its a really fun game.. Now not
many people have this at home anymore its a bit
of an older game. BUT you can make your own if
you need to.? You can do it outside with chalk
on the floor, you can put colored post-its on the
floor, you can make the game whichever way you
can. Below are the instructions and picture of
the game.?  The idea is to play TODAY! Then
stretch your hips, shoulders, wrists, ankles, and
knees after the game.  Stretch those same joints
again at least 3 times before you play the game
again.
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THANKS
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